Spanning 177 miles across the Great Plains of Oklahoma, this drive from Roland to Oklahoma City typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the journey, making it a relatively budget-friendly excursion. The route relies heavily on major arteries like the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, the Tinker Diagonal, and the Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, this path offers a reliable connection between these two Oklahoma points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.5 miles from Roland, OK
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
158.4 mi
2h 41m
Tinker Diagonal
12.3 mi
14m
Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
1m
Crosstown Expressway
1.2 mi
1m
South Roland Road
1 mi
2m
West Ray Fine Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Oklahoma City Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
— 158.4 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roland, OK and Oklahoma City, OK.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Main Street
2
Continue on South Roland Road
1.0 mi·2 min·South Roland Road
3
Turn right onto US 64
0.8 mi·1 min·West Ray Fine Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
5
Merge onto I 40
83 mi·1 hr 24 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 40
1.5 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 40
75 mi·1 hr 16 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
12 mi·14 min·Tinker Diagonal
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; I 40; US 62; US 270
0.9 mi·1 min·Crosstown Expressway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270
0.4 mi·26 sec·Crosstown Expressway
Exit 126Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, AmarilloUse the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·39 sec
Exit 151AToward Oklahoma City BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto Oklahoma City Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Oklahoma City Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Edward King Gaylord Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Sheridan Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto North Robinson Avenue
416 ft·14 sec·North Robinson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Arrive at destination
North Robinson Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour-and-6-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around traffic patterns. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which keeps your momentum steady throughout the day. Given the $27 fuel estimate, consider filling up before you leave Roland to ensure you have enough range for the 177-mile trek. Watch for transitions between the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway and the Tinker Diagonal, as these junctions require careful navigation. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to reach Oklahoma City with time to spare for your afternoon or evening activities.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.5 miles from Roland, OK, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 39 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.5 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oklahoma City, OK than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Roland, OK so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Roland, OK
This is one driving day of about 177 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Roland, OK.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway for about 158.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 176.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 64 / West Ray Fine Boulevard
Turn right onto US 64 / West Ray Fine Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
175.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US 270 West: Oklahoma Health Center, State Capitol, Edmond, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 126
Toward I 235 North, US 77 North, I 40 West, US...
7
175.5 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward Oklahoma City Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 151A
Toward Oklahoma City Boulevard
7
176.7 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|West Sheridan Avenue
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
176.9 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|North Robinson Avenue
Turn right onto North Robinson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.67 one way
$55.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.38
$60.77
premium
$4.89
$34.06
$68.12
diesel
$5.61
$39.08
$78.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.1
0
$18.59
$8.50
Efficient EV
44.3
0
$15.49
$7.08
EV Truck/SUV
70.8
0
$24.78
$11.33
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Roland, OK
Night
in Roland on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Oklahoma City, OK
Night
in Oklahoma City on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Eufaula, OK
89 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 6m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Oklahoma City National Memorial
National Memorial
The outdoor symbolic memorial is a place of quiet reflection, honoring victims, survivors, rescuers, and all who were changed forever on April 19, 1995. It encompasses the now sacred soil where the Al...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized by a turn-heavy local feel that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will spend 100% of your time on highways, moving through a landscape that defines the Great Plains region. The most significant portion of your travel occurs on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, which accounts for a 158.4-mile stretch of the total distance. Rather than a monotonous interstate grind, the road demands your attention with its local navigation requirements. Expect the driving experience to shift from regional transit to the more complex infrastructure as you approach the metropolitan area.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.4 mi on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near US 64 / West Ray Fine Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (US 64 / West Ray Fine Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 175.2 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Oklahoma City is the capital and principal city of the state of Oklahoma in the central Frontier Country region of the state. The sprawling city and its suburbs offer multiple sports venues, museums, regional food, and a mix of Native American and cowboy culture.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 177 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.4 miles on Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Oklahoma City, OK before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (US 64 / West Ray Fine Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 175.2 miles (I 40; US 270 / Crosstown Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Oklahoma City National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Oklahoma City, OK, but most travelers stay overnight.
